6-12 Life Science, Biology

Birding in Your Classroom NEW

6th-8th Grade Science (also grades K-5th)

No matter where you are on the planet you can find birds. A source of wonder for everyone from home bird feeder enthusiasts to ornithologists, birds are also a key indicator of the health of our ecosystems. Participants will increase their own birding knowledge, learn various strategies for engaging students in learning about the ecosystem through bird observations in the field, and come away with activities that can be done in the classroom. All participants will receive resources from Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Investigating Arthropods in Your Classroom NEW

6th-8th Grade Science (also grades K-5th)

Ignite the sense of wonder in your students by using living organisms from the phylum arthropoda to teach the scientific method, needs of living organisms, and importance of the most abundant animals on Earth. Using living examples of arthropods, participants will determine the niche preference of these organisms by designing experiments, observing behaviors, and interpreting the data that is collected. This hands-on experience will unleash the power of research and actively engage participants in deeper learning and understanding of arthropods.

Cuttin’ Up in Class

6th-12th Grade Science

This time it is your turn to be “Cuttin’ Up in Class”! Bring your life science, biology, and anatomy classrooms alive as you engage in hands-on, cost effective ways to introduce dissection to your students. Not only will the study of structure and function in living organisms make more sense, but students will experience a heightened appreciation for the fascinating nature of living things.

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”: Making Science Relevant Through Literature

7th-12th Grade Science

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is the true story of a woman who unknowingly saved millions of lives after losing her own. This book is a scientific story, but also a human story which will have your students engaged in vigorous classroom discussions exploring the nature of scientific research and ethical practice. Participants will discover the power of scientific book studies as tools of inquiry that allow all students to move beyond memorization, building foundational knowledge through engagement in the text and classroom collaborations and discussions.

Zombie-ology 101

Life Science; Biology

Do you ever wonder what is fact and what is fiction when looking at the STEM concepts embedded in the current Hollywood pop culture of zombies? This workshop will introduce our Zombie-ology 101 lesson which focuses on the transmission of information through the nervous system from the cellular level to the entire body system. See how your students can test their cognitive abilities and analyze how their brain is capable of executing a variety of challenge station tasks. Discover where nature and Hollywood part ways!

Beyond the Punnett Square: Epigenetic Markers and Gene Expression

9th-12th Grade Science; Biology

How does each genetically identical cell in a body “know” what kind of cell to be? How can your body weight be influenced by what your grandmother ate? We’ll look beyond individual alleles into the world of histones and epigenetic markers to see how who we are may well depend upon more than the genes our ancestors gave us. Strategies for connecting classical genetics with epigenetic research will be shared.

Evolution The Biology of Change NEW

9th-12th Grade Biology

Is evolution “just” a theory? Examine some common misconceptions about biological evolution and explore some of the evidence that led to the formulation of one of the most controversial theories in science. A handson simulation will demonstrate the relevance of Darwin’s finches to a fundamental aspect of evolution: that variation emerges independently of the environmental “forces” that act on it. Come away with new tools for engaging students in the study of evolution.

Outbreak at Middlin High NEW

9th-12th Grade Biology

This simple activity uses student “interviews” and a 10-step protocol developed by the CDC to track the source of an outbreak of gastroenteritis among students at “Middlin High School”. We’ll also explore an activity that traces a fictitious legionnaires disease outbreak modeled after an actual one in Lynchburg, VA, in 1996. Students can even develop their own simulated “outbreaks” to track. Also, we’ll take a quick look at some classic disease outbreaks and consider whether another one is right around the corner.